United 93

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Review: Intense, unflinching and well done.

By Jeff Otto

The mere idea of taking on such a hot-button issue less than five years since the tragic events of 9/11/01 has been a controversial subject since the first announcement of United 93 going into production. We have moved on with our lives, but it never hurts to remind America what happened. Flag license plates sporting the slogan "We Will Never Forget" adorn cars across the nation, but memories of 9/11 have faded into the background. Is it too soon? I personally don't think so. The story of the passengers on United 93 is admittedly tragic, but their plight is one of the utmost courage of the human spirit against the most terrifying impossibility anyone can imagine.

Flight 93 is directed by Paul Greengrass (Bourne Supremacy, Sunday Bloody Sunday). Featuring a relative cast of unknowns, the storyline follows the passengers aboard United Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. The flight was one of four planes intended as part of a suicide mission of terrorism. The previous three planes had already hit their targets, the two World Trade Towers and the Pentagon. Flight 93 was aimed for the Nation's Capital in Washington, but before the target was reached, the passengers aboard learned what had already been happening on the ground through use of cell and air phones. Realizing they had only one chance to survive or, at the very least, stop the terrorists from achieving their goal, these passengers rose up and attacked the terrorists, causing the plane to crash and avoid further destruction.

Click the pic to view a gallery of stills.

There are no stars in the cast of United 93. Aside from a few character actors with familiar faces, the cast is made up of virtual unknowns, which helps to sell the documentary feel of the film. To further infuse the authentic feel, many characters from the members of air patrol and military actually play themselves, reliving the tragic day on film.

United 93 is shot in the documentary, handheld-style employed by Greengrass on his two most recent films. The technique fits the subject matter perfectly and gives the film the feel of watching reality, as much as we actually don't completely know what happened aboard United 93 aside from the testimonies of the family members and friends that spoke to their loved ones before the plane crashed.

The early focus of the film is on the mundane aspects of what was expected to be a normal day of flight. Scenes of the flight crew preparing for an average day are intercut with the terrorists packing box cutters and knives, easily bringing them past security in their carry-ons. One pilot tells the other of his plans for a vacation to Hawaii with the wife after this flight. Members of air control comment on the wonderful weather on the East Coast assuring a smooth day of travel.

More than being a film about entertainment, United 93 is a chronology of a historical event meant to remind people of what happened and understand what it took for these passengers to do what they did. They knew they were doomed and they easily could have sat back, complacent, waiting for the inevitable. Instead, they rose up and prevented one of the most tragic days in U.S. history from being any worse. Their sacrifice potentially saved hundreds of lives.

Paul Greengrass' work here is a fantastic achievement. The film is bold and unflinching. It's not easy to watch and often positively heartbreaking. You probably won't make it through this film without a few tears welling up or even streaming down your face. Greengrass handles the film with the utmost professionalism and diligence. The decision to avoid casting a star makes the film that much better, and an unlikely one in a Hollywood film. Surely, adding a Cruise, Hanks, etc. would lead to bigger box office receipts, but Greengrass is obviously more concerned with telling the story appropriately than having a theatrical smash. Instead of focusing on one person to be the hero, all the passengers are the heroes.

United 93 may be too much for some theatergoers to handle. During the screening, there were many exhalations during the course of the film, a few people turning away from the screen and the majority sobbing on various levels. This is an important film and people should go and see it. People all too often forget that film is an art form meant to entertain, inform and stir your emotions. Today's film world is more about entertainment than the value of art, but now and again it's refreshing to see a film that is about something real, that challenges the audience and leads to discussion afterwards. This is the best film yet this year and a true achievement for all involved.